by Matilda Charles
Patents on some expensive brand-name drugs are set to expire this year, with an even larger number in 2012. That means the drug companies won't have a lock on the market.
Less-expensive generics are sure to follow as competition rises.
Drugs set to expire this year and next include: Lipitor (expired in November 2010, generic due this year), Seroquel, Avandia, Lunesta and Singulair.
Just before a patent expires, drug companies will renew their efforts to get doctors to prescribe their product. When your doctor prescribes something for you, ask if it's one of the drugs that has come off patent, in which case an inexpensive generic might be available. Drug companies, however, do have exclusive rights to a generic version of their drug for six months after a patent expires.
But after that, any company can create a generic, and the prices will fall.
This can be very important for seniors who are approaching the doughnut hole, where Medicare won't pay for coverage.
Keep in mind that some of these companies are going to court and will be tied up in litigation. Still, from now on, when you get a prescription filled, ask the pharmacist if there is a less-expensive generic to be had.
Another trick to keep patients on the brand-name drug is that the cost of the generic version sometimes can go up for a little while. Beware, and ask questions.
A good way to keep track of the expiration of patents on drugs you take is to go online and do a search for the name of your drug and the words "patent expire."
Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.
(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.
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